So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Samothrace - "An island north-west of Troas, and south of the coast of Thrace. It is mountainous in character, and was formerly famous for the mysterious worship of the Cabiri (pagan deities). It lay, roughly, half way between Troas and Neapolis, and St. Paul's ship anchored there for the night en route, probably at the north extremity of the island, where the chief town was situated." (Walker)
Neapolis - "Neapolis was the seaport for Philippi about 10 mi (16 km) away." (Ryrie)
"Meaning 'new city'. It was the seaport of Philippi and was situated at the northern end of the Aegean sea. Its distance from Samothrace was about thirty miles. It is usually identified with the modern town of Kavalla." (Walker)
Philippi - "The church at Philippi was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey. This was the first church to be established by him in Europe (Acts 16). Philippi was a small city, founded by King Philip of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. Its greatest fame came from the battle fought nearby, in 42 B.C., between the forces of Brutus and Cassius and those of Antony and Octavian (later Caesar Augustus). It became a Roman 'colony,' a military outpost city with special privileges." (Ryrie)
"A city founded on the site of an earlier town (Crenides) by Philip of Macedonia in the fourth century B.C. and called by his name. It lay on the great Egnatian Road, just at the spot where the chain of the Balkan Mountains sinks into a pass. After it had passed into Roman hands, Augustus made it a Roman colony, with the title of 'Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis', to commemorate his victory there over Brutus and Cassius (42 B.C.). It was about ten miles inland from Neapolis, a ridge of elevated land being crossed by the Egnatian Road between the two. We read of it again in Acts 20:6; Phil 1:1; 1 Thes 2:2)." (Walker)
a Roman colony - "A Roman colony was like a piece of Rome transplanted abroad so that those who held citizenship in a colony enjoyed the same rights they would have had if they had lived in Italy. Other colonies mentioned in Acts are Pisidian Antioch, Lystra, Troas, Ptolemais, and Corinth." (Ryrie)
"As such, it enjoyed special privileges, amongst others the 'Jus Italicum' or immunity from the ground tax levied by the Romans on all provincial lands. Its magistrates bore titles borrowed from the imperial city; and its laws, coinage, and official language were all Latin. Its colonial features and dignities are clearly reflected in the Epistle to the Philippians." (Walker)
outside the gate to the riverside - "Apparently there was no synagogue in Philippi; it required at least 10 Jewish men to organize one." (Ryrie)
"The river Gangites, a tributary of the Strymon. It flowed about a mile west of the city. The Jews often preferred the sea side or a river bank for purposes of worship, because of the need of water for their ceremonial purifications." (Walker)
"It would appear that there was no synagogue in Philippi, especially since we read of Thessalonica, the next city he went to, that there was a synagogue there (Acts 17:1) and that Paul went in 'as his manner was' (Acts 17:2). In any city like Philippi, where there were not enough Jews to maintain a synagogue, the few who did reside there would choose (or be granted) a place outside the city near a river or stream, to carry on their devotions; outside the city for the sake of retirement, and by flowing water so that they could attend to the baptisms, or washings, which played so prominent a part in their worship. Surely Israel was not being left without abundant testimony to the person and claims of Christ, for here, where there was not even a synagogue, the apostle and his helpers still made it a point to deal with 'the Jew first,' seeking out those who might resort to the riverside on the Sabbath day to pray." (Stam)
Thyatira - "A rich city in the north of Lydia, a country included in the province of Asia and south of Mysia. It lay in the valley of the river Lycus, having been refounded by Seleucus Nicator during the third century B.C. It owed its prosperity chiefly to commerce, and the dyeing trade there, in particular, was flourishing. One of the 'seven churches of Asia' was afterwards founded there (Rev 1:11)." (Walker)
seller of purple goods - "Thyatira in Asia Minor was famous for its purple dye." (Ryrie)
"One word in the Greek, a compound noun. The country of Lydia in general, and Thyatira in particular, were noted for purple dyeing. Inscriptions shew that there was a guild of dyers there. It was such purple-dyed garments, etc., which Lydia sold in Philippi. She had clearly settled there for trade purposes, and engaged in such a business, must have been well-to-do." (Walker)
The Lord opened her heart - "From her name it would appear that she was not a Jewess, but she had evidently come to fear the God of Israel and may have been a proselyte to Judaism. At any rate we read that here was one 'whose heart the Lord opened' to receive the truth (Ver. 14). There is an important doctrinal lesson for us here, for the assertion that the Lord opened Lydia's heart implies that it had been, and would by nature have remained closed. This is always the man's condition apart from divine grace. The unaided efforts of even the godliest of men to enlighten the unregenerate heart must be vain and ineffectual. God alone can accomplish this (2 Cor 4:6) and having begun the good work, He will complete it (Phil 1:6). Yet it was not surprising that God, in His foreknowledge of all things, should choose to open this woman's heart for, though far from home and engaged in business, she was found here seeking the fellowship of those whose God had said: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,' and was seeking that God in prayer. And now, through Paul's preaching, Lydia found God and true sabbath rest in Christ (See Heb 1:3; 4:9-10)." (Stam)
after she was baptized - "... though Paul was already proclaiming 'the gospel of the grace of God,' Israel had not yet been finally set aside (See John 1:31 and cf. Acts 28:28) hence much of the old program still prevailed [Acts 2:38]. Paul had but recently circumcised Timothy; he had just been called to Macedonia by a vision; having arrived there he was careful to go to 'the Jew first'; he was soon to cast a demon out of a damsel, and being imprisoned as a result, the prison doors were to be opened and his bands loosed by a miracle. This was the economy under which he had been saved and from which he gradually emerged ..." (Stam)
her household as well - "Associate and/or servants and perhaps children." (Ryrie)
come to my house and stay - "No sooner was Lydia saved than she began helping the ministers of the gospel, furnishing them a home and headquarters for their work. And she was persistent and faithful in this help (See Ver. 40)." (Stam)
Samothrace - "An island north-west of Troas, and south of the coast of Thrace. It is mountainous in character, and was formerly famous for the mysterious worship of the Cabiri (pagan deities). It lay, roughly, half way between Troas and Neapolis, and St. Paul's ship anchored there for the night en route, probably at the north extremity of the island, where the chief town was situated." (Walker)
Neapolis - "Neapolis was the seaport for Philippi about 10 mi (16 km) away." (Ryrie)
"Meaning 'new city'. It was the seaport of Philippi and was situated at the northern end of the Aegean sea. Its distance from Samothrace was about thirty miles. It is usually identified with the modern town of Kavalla." (Walker)
Philippi - "The church at Philippi was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey. This was the first church to be established by him in Europe (Acts 16). Philippi was a small city, founded by King Philip of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. Its greatest fame came from the battle fought nearby, in 42 B.C., between the forces of Brutus and Cassius and those of Antony and Octavian (later Caesar Augustus). It became a Roman 'colony,' a military outpost city with special privileges." (Ryrie)
"A city founded on the site of an earlier town (Crenides) by Philip of Macedonia in the fourth century B.C. and called by his name. It lay on the great Egnatian Road, just at the spot where the chain of the Balkan Mountains sinks into a pass. After it had passed into Roman hands, Augustus made it a Roman colony, with the title of 'Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis', to commemorate his victory there over Brutus and Cassius (42 B.C.). It was about ten miles inland from Neapolis, a ridge of elevated land being crossed by the Egnatian Road between the two. We read of it again in Acts 20:6; Phil 1:1; 1 Thes 2:2)." (Walker)
a Roman colony - "A Roman colony was like a piece of Rome transplanted abroad so that those who held citizenship in a colony enjoyed the same rights they would have had if they had lived in Italy. Other colonies mentioned in Acts are Pisidian Antioch, Lystra, Troas, Ptolemais, and Corinth." (Ryrie)
"As such, it enjoyed special privileges, amongst others the 'Jus Italicum' or immunity from the ground tax levied by the Romans on all provincial lands. Its magistrates bore titles borrowed from the imperial city; and its laws, coinage, and official language were all Latin. Its colonial features and dignities are clearly reflected in the Epistle to the Philippians." (Walker)
outside the gate to the riverside - "Apparently there was no synagogue in Philippi; it required at least 10 Jewish men to organize one." (Ryrie)
"The river Gangites, a tributary of the Strymon. It flowed about a mile west of the city. The Jews often preferred the sea side or a river bank for purposes of worship, because of the need of water for their ceremonial purifications." (Walker)
"It would appear that there was no synagogue in Philippi, especially since we read of Thessalonica, the next city he went to, that there was a synagogue there (Acts 17:1) and that Paul went in 'as his manner was' (Acts 17:2). In any city like Philippi, where there were not enough Jews to maintain a synagogue, the few who did reside there would choose (or be granted) a place outside the city near a river or stream, to carry on their devotions; outside the city for the sake of retirement, and by flowing water so that they could attend to the baptisms, or washings, which played so prominent a part in their worship. Surely Israel was not being left without abundant testimony to the person and claims of Christ, for here, where there was not even a synagogue, the apostle and his helpers still made it a point to deal with 'the Jew first,' seeking out those who might resort to the riverside on the Sabbath day to pray." (Stam)
Thyatira - "A rich city in the north of Lydia, a country included in the province of Asia and south of Mysia. It lay in the valley of the river Lycus, having been refounded by Seleucus Nicator during the third century B.C. It owed its prosperity chiefly to commerce, and the dyeing trade there, in particular, was flourishing. One of the 'seven churches of Asia' was afterwards founded there (Rev 1:11)." (Walker)
seller of purple goods - "Thyatira in Asia Minor was famous for its purple dye." (Ryrie)
"One word in the Greek, a compound noun. The country of Lydia in general, and Thyatira in particular, were noted for purple dyeing. Inscriptions shew that there was a guild of dyers there. It was such purple-dyed garments, etc., which Lydia sold in Philippi. She had clearly settled there for trade purposes, and engaged in such a business, must have been well-to-do." (Walker)
The Lord opened her heart - "From her name it would appear that she was not a Jewess, but she had evidently come to fear the God of Israel and may have been a proselyte to Judaism. At any rate we read that here was one 'whose heart the Lord opened' to receive the truth (Ver. 14). There is an important doctrinal lesson for us here, for the assertion that the Lord opened Lydia's heart implies that it had been, and would by nature have remained closed. This is always the man's condition apart from divine grace. The unaided efforts of even the godliest of men to enlighten the unregenerate heart must be vain and ineffectual. God alone can accomplish this (2 Cor 4:6) and having begun the good work, He will complete it (Phil 1:6). Yet it was not surprising that God, in His foreknowledge of all things, should choose to open this woman's heart for, though far from home and engaged in business, she was found here seeking the fellowship of those whose God had said: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,' and was seeking that God in prayer. And now, through Paul's preaching, Lydia found God and true sabbath rest in Christ (See Heb 1:3; 4:9-10)." (Stam)
after she was baptized - "... though Paul was already proclaiming 'the gospel of the grace of God,' Israel had not yet been finally set aside (See John 1:31 and cf. Acts 28:28) hence much of the old program still prevailed [Acts 2:38]. Paul had but recently circumcised Timothy; he had just been called to Macedonia by a vision; having arrived there he was careful to go to 'the Jew first'; he was soon to cast a demon out of a damsel, and being imprisoned as a result, the prison doors were to be opened and his bands loosed by a miracle. This was the economy under which he had been saved and from which he gradually emerged ..." (Stam)
her household as well - "Associate and/or servants and perhaps children." (Ryrie)
come to my house and stay - "No sooner was Lydia saved than she began helping the ministers of the gospel, furnishing them a home and headquarters for their work. And she was persistent and faithful in this help (See Ver. 40)." (Stam)
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